With Rossweisse now officially part of my peerage, life in Asgard had taken on a new rhythm. Odin, despite his initial skepticism, treated me with a kind of wary respect. The other gods, while still holding me at arm's length, began to acknowledge my presence in their halls. Even Thor had offered to spar with me—a test of strength that, while playful, carried the weight of Asgardian pride.
Rossweisse was by my side through all of this, her initial shyness slowly melting away. She had grown into her role as my queen with a quiet confidence that I found both endearing and admirable. Our bond, forged in the fires of shared knowledge and mutual respect, was unbreakable.
But as peaceful as Asgard was, I knew I couldn't stay forever. My mission in this world was far from over. the plot armor of one certain character was something I intended to challenge. But for now, there were other matters to attend to—like further strengthening my peerage.
After a particularly festive night in Asgard, I retired to my chambers, Rossweisse following close behind. As we entered, she gave me a look—one I had come to recognize as her "serious talk" expression.
"You're thinking about leaving, aren't you?" she asked, her voice soft yet firm.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "You know me too well, Rossweisse. Yes, I am. But not immediately. I have a few things to take care of before I go."
She nodded, sitting beside me on the edge of the bed. "I want to come with you."
"I figured as much," I replied, smiling. "And you will. But first, we need to make sure you're ready for the challenges that lie ahead."
Rossweisse looked at me, her gray eyes filled with determination. "What do you have in mind?"
I stood up and paced the room, gathering my thoughts. "Odin and your grandmother tested me, and I passed. But you're still new to this role, Rossweisse. You're powerful, no doubt about that. But to face the threats I'm going after, you need more than power. You need experience—experience in leadership, strategy, and battle."
She looked down for a moment, then back at me, her resolve unwavering. "What do you propose?"
"I'm going to take you on a journey," I said, "a journey to gather our peerage. Each member we recruit will be a test—not just for them, but for you as well. You'll lead them, guide them, and, when necessary, protect them. By the time we're done, you'll be as strong in spirit as you are in magic."
Rossweisse considered this, then nodded. "I understand. Where do we start?"
I smiled, opening a portal with a flick of my wrist. "There's a certain dragon I've had my eye on—Tiamat, one of the Five Great Dragon Kings. She'll make an excellent addition to our peerage, but she's not going to be easy to convince."
Rossweisse stood up, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Then let's go. I'm ready."
We stepped through the portal, emerging in a vast, ancient forest bathed in twilight. The air was thick with magic, and the trees loomed overhead like silent sentinels. Somewhere in this forest, Tiamat slumbered—or perhaps hunted.
"Stay close," I whispered to Rossweisse. "This isn't going to be like dealing with Odin or the other gods. Tiamat is a dragon, and dragons respect only strength."
Rossweisse nodded, her expression serious. "I'm ready for whatever comes."
We moved silently through the forest, my senses heightened as I searched for any sign of the dragon's presence. After what felt like hours, I felt it—a surge of power so intense it made the air vibrate. Tiamat was near.
"Here we go," I muttered, signaling Rossweisse to stay behind me as we entered a large clearing. At its center was a massive cave, its entrance framed by jagged rocks that looked like dragon's teeth.
Before I could say anything, a voice echoed from within the cave, low and dangerous. "Who dares enter my domain?"
I stepped forward, channeling my magic into my voice. "I am Gilgamesh, King of Heroes, and I come to offer you a place in my peerage, Tiamat!"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the ground shook as a massive figure emerged from the cave—a dragon of unparalleled size, her scales shimmering in shades of blue and silver. Her eyes, burning with ancient knowledge and unyielding power, locked onto mine.
"You?" Tiamat rumbled, her voice filled with disdain. "What makes you think I would ever serve a human, let alone a child?"
I smirked, my golden eyes gleaming. "Because I'm no ordinary human. I possess the power of ninsun, the might of the Babylonian kings, and the knowledge of countless worlds. But more importantly, I can offer you something you've never had—a challenge worthy of your power."
Tiamat's eyes narrowed, intrigued despite herself. "And what challenge would that be?"
"Join me," I said, "and I'll take you to battles that will test your strength, to opponents who will push you to your limits. Together, we'll face gods, monsters, and beings from beyond this world. You'll never need to hold back ever again."
For a long moment, Tiamat was silent, her gaze piercing as if she could see into my very soul. Then, slowly, she began to laugh—a deep, rumbling sound that shook the forest.
"Very well, Gilgamesh," she said, her laughter fading into a smirk. "I'll join your peerage. But know this—if you fail to provide the challenges you promise, I'll take your head as payment."
I nodded, unfazed. "Fair enough. Welcome to the team, Tiamat."
As the dragon king began the process of transforming into a more humanoid form to accept the Evil Piece, I turned to Rossweisse, who was watching the exchange with wide eyes.
"This is just the beginning," I said softly. "You're going to do great, Rossweisse. I have no doubt."
She smiled, her earlier nerves replaced by a newfound confidence. "Thank you… My King."
With Tiamat now part of our peerage, I knew we were one step closer to completing our team. But as I looked at the dragon-turned-human, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. The challenges ahead would be great, but with Rossweisse by my side and powerful allies like Tiamat, I knew we were ready for anything.
"So what's my "king" " tiamat said mockily "oh we're after your EX" her eyes widened